Birdman (rapper)
| Birdman | |
|---|---|
 Birdman performing at Hot 97's Summer Jam 2007 |
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Bryan Williams |
| Also known as | Baby |
| Born | February 15, 1969 New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Genres | Hip hop |
| Occupations | Rapper, record producer, entrepreneur |
| Years active | 1989–present |
| Labels | Cash Money, Republic, Universal Republic |
| Associated acts | Lil Wayne, Big Tymers, Cash Money Millionaires, The B.G.'z, Rick Ross, Gucci Mane, T-Pain, Young Jeezy, DJ Khaled, Young Money |
| Website | birdmanstunna.com |
Bryan Williams (born February 15, 1969), known by his stage name Birdman or Baby, is an American rapper, entrepreneur and record producer. He is the co-founder of Cash Money Records and one half of the duo Big Tymers. Along with his releases with Big Tymers and for his solo career, Birdman recorded a collaboration album and numerous tracks with Lil Wayne. Birdman has also made his name by contributing to the making of YMCMB (Young Money Cash Money Billionaires). According to Forbes, he grossed an estimated US $15 million from May 2010 to May 2011 with a net worth estimated at US $110 million in 2011.[1]
Contents |
Career [edit]
Big Tymers [edit]
In 1997, he joined producer and DJ Mannie Fresh to form the duo Big Tymers.[2] Big Tymers debuted in 1998 with the album How Ya Luv That? and went on to release I Got That Work in 2000 and Hood Rich in 2002. I Got That Work had the hit singles "Get Your Roll On" and "#1 Stunna"; Hood Rich had "Still Fly", which was nominated for a Grammy, and "Oh Yeah!" Big Money Heavyweight followed in 2003; the group disbanded in 2004.[3] His son Bryan Williams Jr., was born in February 26, 1997; his daughter Bria Williams in March 4, 1998. After his group Big Tymers broke up he changed his name from "Baby" to "Birdman".
2005–07: Like Father Like Son and 5 * Stunna [edit]
Lil Wayne and Birdman released an album titled Like Father, Like Son. It was certified gold and spawned three singles, including "Stuntin' Like My Daddy" and "Leather So Soft". He was also featured on the remixes of the best-selling rap singles "We Fly High" by Jim Jones and "Make It Rain" by Fat Joe. In 2007 Birdman released his fourth studio album, 5 * Stunna. The first single, "Pop Bottles", featuring Lil Wayne, was a hit, as was the second single "100 Million", featuring Rick Ross, Lil Wayne, Young Jeezy, Dre, and DJ Khaled. The third single, featuring Lil Wayne, titled "I Run This", was a hit as well. Birdman claims Lil Wayne is his son, not biologically though, but emotionally. He expressed his feelings for him in an interview in Tim Westwood's radio show, where he also addressed the photo of them kissing mouth to mouth. [4]
2009: Priceless [edit]
Birdman's first single from his album Pricele$$ was "Always Strapped", featuring Lil Wayne, and the second "Written on Her", featuring British singer Jay Sean. "Southside", featuring Lil Wayne, is the third single.[5] "Money to Blow" featuring Drake and Lil Wayne is the fourth single. "4 My Town (Play Ball)" featuring Drake and Lil Wayne is the fifth single. "Written on Her" also became Birdman's first UK release in December 2009.[6]
2010–present: Bigga Than Life and future collaboration plans [edit]
In 2010 he was going to release an album titled Priceless 2, a sequel to his previous album, but changed it to Bigga Than Life.[7] The first promotional single was titled "Loyalty" and featured Lil Wayne and Tyga.[7] Other collaborations will come from Rick Ross, Young Jeezy, Bun B and Drake.[7] The album was scheduled to be released in early 2011.[8] He released a music video for a possible future single, "My Jewel", which features Bun B and Young Jeezy.[9] On November 22, 2010, he released the first official single, "Fire Flame", which features Lil Wayne. Around this time he changed the album's title to Bigga Than Life. Birdman released another single called "I Get Money" featuring T-Pain, Young Money artist Mack Maine and Lil Wayne. On September 13,2011, Birdman released Y.U. MAD, featuring Nicki Minaj and Lil Wayne. On May 22, 2012, he released Born Stunna, featuring Rick Ross. The remix, featuring Lil Wayne and Nicki Minaj, was released July 10, 2012. The most recent single, Shout Out featuring Gudda Gudda and French Montana, was released October 16, 2012.
During 2008 it was announced Birdman was set to release an album with his long-time friend Rick Ross titled The H, but after that no information on the album was released. [10] On May 16, 2013 Birdman and Rick Ross announced that The H would be released as a mixtape hosted by DJ Khaled on May 23, 2013. The project was recorded during a couple days in 2008.[11] A new compilation album, entitled Rich Gang: Flashy Lifestyle, hosted by Birdman, is set to be released June 25, 2013. The album will feature appearances from the many members of Cash Money Records and Young Money Entertainment among others such as Meek Mill, French Montana and Future.
His fifth studio album Bigga Than Life is also scheduled to be released in September 2013.[12] A second Like Father, Like Son album, titled Like Father, Like Son 2: Tha Last MOB, with Lil Wayne is scheduled to be released in 2013.[13]
Forbes magazine estimated his personal fortune at US $125 million in 2012.[14]
Legal trouble [edit]
In November 2007 Birdman was arrested and charged with possession of nearly a pound of marijuana.[15][16]
In October 2009, Birdman, Lil Wayne, Cash Money Records and various music distribution outlets were sued for copyright infringement by Thomas Marasciullo, who claims his voice was used without permission. Both rappers asked him to record some "Italian-styled spoken word recordings" in 2006. The lyrics were allegedly used on "Respect" and other tracks from the rappers' collaboration album Like Father, Like Son and Birdman's 5 * Stunna.[17]
Other ventures [edit]
Oil business [edit]
In early 2010, Birdman formed an oil and gas exploration company, Bronald Oil and Gas, LLC. The company was a joint venture founded by Birdman and his brother Slim, and the name was a combination of the brothers' first names, Bryan and Ronald. Evidence of the company's actual business operations was scant, limited mostly to a website and the appearance of a "pumpjack" tattoo on the side of Birdman's head.[18] The website indicated that the company's strategy would be to first develop existing land holdings and seek out new oil and gas leases. In February 2010, Birdman told Ozone magazine that he had been in the oil business for "4 or 5 years" and was "making good money off that".[19]
However, by March 2010, Birdman had almost completely covered the pumpjack tattoo, which sparked speculation that the Bronald Oil project had stalled.[20] An investigative report from Bloomberg revealed that official regulators in charge of oil and gas permits had never heard of Bronald. In addition, Bronald Oil and Gas' website which provided scant details on the venture had since late 2011 been no longer operational.[21]
Discography [edit]
- 1993: I Need a Bag of Dope (as B-32)
- 2002: Birdman
- 2005: Fast Money
- 2007: 5 * Stunna
- 2009: Priceless
- 2013: Bigga Than Life
- Collaboration
- 2006: Like Father, Like Son (with Lil Wayne)
- 2013: Rich Gang: Flashy Lifestyle (with Young Money/Cash Money)
- TBA: Like Father, Like Son 2 (with Lil Wayne)
References [edit]
- ^ "4. Bryan "Birdman" Williams ($110 million)". Forbes.
- ^ Jeffries, David. "Birdman > Biography". allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved March 22, 2009.
- ^ Birchmeier, Jason. "Big Tymers: Biography". allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved March 22, 2009.
- ^ [1]
- ^ Birdman - Written On Her (Feat Jay Sean) Updated With CDQ
- ^ Birdman interview by Pete Lewis, Blues & Soul. December 2009
- ^ a b c Birdman, Lil Wayne And Tyga Rep Their Hometowns In 'Loyalty' Video, MTV, June 16, 2010
- ^ Kuperstein, Slava (November 14, 2010). "Birdman Talks Lil Wayne, Drake Collaboration Album". HipHop DX. Cheri Media Group.
- ^ YouTube - Birdman Ft. Young Jeezy & Bun B - My Jewel (Official Video) latesthoodvids
- ^ Reid, Shaheem (May 23, 2008). "T.I. Tests Himself As A Producer". Mixtape Monday. MTV News.
- ^ http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2013/05/birdman-to-drop-lost-album-with-rick-ross-h-on-may-23/
- ^ http://www.mtv.com/videos/news/907176/lil-wayne-looks-back-at-his-old-self.jhtml#id=1706973
- ^ Ryon, Sean (September 30, 2010). Lil Wayne and Birdman to Reunite for 'Like Father, Like Son 2'". HipHop DX. Cheri Media Group.
- ^ "Mind Of Mannie". XXL. May 24, 2006.
- ^ Breeding, Kacie Dingus (November 27, 2007). "Kingsport traffic stop cages rapper Birdman and his entourage on drug charges; ATF helps with firearms probe". The Times-Picayune.
- ^ Kaufman, Gil (November 28, 2007). "Baby, A.K.A. Birdman, Arrested For Marijuana Possession". MTV News. Retrieved March 22, 2009.
- ^ "Rapper Wayne sued over copyright". BBC. October 31, 2009. Retrieved March 9, 2010.
- ^ "Rapper Mogul Birdman Unveils Indie Oil Company". HeatingOil.com. 2010-01-23. Retrieved 2012-03-28.
- ^ "Ozone Magazine". Ozonemag.com. Retrieved 2012-03-28.
- ^ "Bronald Oil Update: Birdman Covers Up Tattoo, Stokes Skepticism". HeatingOil.com. 2010-03-04. Retrieved 2012-03-28.
- ^ http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2013/05/odd-jobs-six-unusual-rapper-side-hustles/5/
External links [edit]
- Official website
- Birdman at MTV
- Birdman at the Internet Movie Database
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- 1969 births
- Living people
- African-American businesspeople
- African-American rappers
- African-American record producers
- American hip hop record producers
- American music industry executives
- American businesspeople in the oil industry
- Businesspeople from Louisiana
- Cash Money Records artists
- Rappers from New Orleans, Louisiana
